Out and About – Week of June 11th

It’s easy to see that this is Water Festival Week. Looking out my office window, I see trucks and trailers from Schmidt Amusements getting the Midway ready for business. This Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the downtown business district and Scidmore Park turn into a sea of activity during the 56th Annual Three Rivers Water Festival. AHOY, TR!! Excitement awaits you for the best three days of summer. There’s something for everyone, no matter your age. From the fun of the rides on the Midway to the Ox Roast sandwich at the old hospital, the Water Festival is where the action is. Take the family and enjoy the excitement of Three Rivers. Water Festival brochures are available at the Chamber office, 57 North Main Street, or at several of the downtown merchants. Aaaarrgghh, Matey!!

A special part of Water Festival for the kids is the annual “Pets in the Park”. This pet show takes place in Lafayette Park, directly across the street from Hoppin School, on North Main Street, Three Rivers. “Pets in the Park” happens this Friday, June 15, with registration starting at 9:30 A.M. and judging beginning at 10 A.M. sharp. Admission is FREE. Ribbons will be awarded for first, second, and third place. This is open for all children under 15 years of age. Saturday, June 16, is the rain-date, should we experience inclement weather. Hours would remain the same.

Welcome back, Dawn Patrol! I can’t think of a better way to wrap up the Water Festival weekend then to travel out to the airport for Dawn Patrol. Early Sunday morning, June 17, the Three Rivers airport wakes up to the arrival of visiting aircraft from everywhere imaginable. Hopefully, there will be vintage aircraft from years gone by. There will also be a breakfast served in one of the hangars, and many other displays for the enjoyment of attendees of all ages. The Three Rives Fire Department will even have a few pieces of equipment, plus answers for those seeking information on how the equipment is used. Thanks to the Three Rivers Pilots Association for bringing this annual event back. We’ve missed you.

With all of the excitement of Water Festival and Dawn Patrol, it’s very possible to forget that Fathers’ Day is this Sunday, June 17. If you are a young father, continue to show your children and your spouse the attention they deserve. It is your responsibility to see that they are properly cared for. If you’re an older father, I hope that your children still appreciate everything that you’ve tried to do for them. If your father has passed, I can only hope that you had proper closure and that when he left this life, he knew that he was loved and appreciated.

We have been fortunate in having some great weather-days lately. Warm days and cool nights make for a fantastic summer. I’m sure the temps will grow hotter and the humidity will find a way to work it’s way back into our weather system. This is Michigan, and that’s just the way it is.With the arrival of warmer temperatures, we must remind ourselves to be extra careful when taking our pets with us in the car. On an 85 degree day, it only takes ten minutes for the inside of a car to reach 102 degrees, even when the windows have been left open an inch or two. Within 30 minutes, a car’s interior can reach 120 degrees. When the temperature outside is a pleasant 70 degrees, the inside of a car may be as much as 20 degrees hotter. If in doubt as to whether it’s too hot for your pet to go in the car with you, play it safe, and leave your pet at home where s/he is safe and comfortable.

The Community Garden is alive and growing. Located behind Huss School, at the corner of Broadway and Eighth Street in Three Rivers, the hours of operation were changed effective June 4. If you would like to contribute some time in the garden, the hours, until September 22, are Monday and Thursday, 5 to 7 P.M., and Saturday from 8 A.M. to 11 A.M. This organic community garden is focused on growing healthy food for the community. All food will be given away. Everyone is invited to the garden to put their green thumbs to work.

Remember that the Farmers’ Market is open in Scidmore Park every Saturday from 9 A.M. until 2 P.M. This includes Water Festival weekend.